After choosing to not reinstate the principal position held currently by Jeremy Keesee in fiscal year 2014 during the January meeting, community members were in attendance during Wednesday’s Odell Grade School District #435 Board of Education meeting.

The community members wanted to weigh in their opinions and find out what other positions or programs would be discontinued in the next fiscal year.

These cuts, which Superintendent Mark Hettmansberger said are due in large part to a reduction in state funding, are also going to include a special education position. Hettmansberger said the annual release of all classroom aides was also in place and those positions will be filled as needed.

“As a small district, we feel like we are a family here and losing employees is not something that benefits anybody,” said Hettmansberger. “These decisions are also difficult in that it’s not truly what is best for kids and that is why we are here, to do what is best for kids. It’s a really difficult conversation to have.”

At the January meeting Hettmansberger said he proposed to the board all the ways in which costs could be salvaged. He said to be fair, all the potential cuts had to be thoroughly looked at by the board in order to come up with the best possible solution for all parties involved.

“Our obligation is to look at everything and find potential places where we could save money,” said Hettmansberger. “People heard what we were discussing and some were obviously a little upset. Everything has to be on the table at this point, but not everything is going to be cut. The one comfort in it all, is knowing that these proceedings are not the views of one person, but the conclusion of a collective of people. We believe the cuts that we have made are the least detrimental cuts we could have made.”

In regard to the process, Hettmansberger expressed his frustration in the fact that the state has requirements regarding when cuts have to be made, but only suggested indications of what the next year’s budget will provide.

“We have to almost play a guessing game as to what is going to take place and plan proactively as opposed to reactively,” said Hettmansberger. “We would love to be able to bring that position back at some point, at this time it doesn’t look like that is possible, but we would love to bring these positions back in the future.”